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Meshing PDF
Meshing PDF
L t
Lecture 4
Meshing
g in Mechanical
Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical
The nodes and elements representing the geometry model make up the
mesh:
A default mesh is automatically generated during initiation of the solution.
The
Th user can generate
t the
th meshh prior
i tot solving
l i tot verify
if mesh h control
t l
settings.
A finer mesh produces more precise answers but also increases CPU time and
memory requirements.
Basic meshing controls are available under the Defaults group in the
Mesh branch
The user has control with a single slider bar
Relevance setting
g between 100 and +100
Sizing Section:
The controls in this group set the basic
size defaults for the initial mesh. Local
controls (described later), can be used to
override these values in specific regions of
the model.
These
Th settings
tti assume theth Use
U Advanced
Ad d
Size Function is set to Off.
Relevance Center: sets the mid point of the Relevance slider control.
Element Size: defines element size used for the entire model
model.
Initial Size seed: Initial mesh size is based either on the entire assembly or on
each individual part.
Smoothing: Attempts to improve element quality by moving nodes. Number of
smoothing iterations can be controlled (Lo
(Low, Medi
Medium,m High)
High).
Transition: Controls the rate at which adjacent elements will grow (Slow, Fast)
Curvature settings:
Normal angle: the maximum allowable angle that one element edge is allowed
to span (default based on relevance and span angle center settings).
Min Size: the minimum element edge size that the mesher will create.
Max Face Size: Maximum size the surface mesher will allow.
Max Size: Maximum size the volume mesher will allow.
Growth Rate: Specifies the increase in element size for each succeeding layer
progressing from an edge. A value of 1.2 represents a 20% increase. Settings
from 1 to 5 with a default determined by relevance and transition settings.
Proximity Settings:
Proximity Accuracy: Set between 0 and 1 (0.5=default). Controls the search
range used with the max size and cells across gap settings. A setting of 0 is
f t a setting
faster, tti off 1 is
i more accurate.t
Num Cells Across Gap: specifies the number of element layers to be
generated in the gap sections (i.e. between features).
Shape Checking:
Standard Mechanical linear stress, modal
and thermal analyses.
Aggressive
gg Mechanical large
g
deformations and material nonlinearities.
Element Midside Nodes:
Program Controlled (default), Dropped or
Kept (see below).
Number of Retries: if poor quality elements
are detected the mesher will retry using a
finer mesh.
Mesh Morphing: when enabled allows updated geometry to use a
morphed mesh rather than remeshing (saves time). Topology must
remain the same and large geometry changes cannot be morphed.
Element A Element B
Kept Dropped
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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical
Continued . . .
Tetrahedrons:
An all Tetrahedron mesh is generated.
Patch Conforming:
All face boundaries are respected when mesh is created.
Sweep :
Sweep-mesh (hex and possible wedge) elements.
Type : Number of Divisions or Element Size in the sweep direction.
Sweep Bias Type : Bias spacing in sweep direction
direction.
Src/Trg Selection : Manually select the start/end faces for sweeping or allow the
mesher to choose.
Automatic/Manual Thin Model One hex or wedge through the thickness. Can
choose between Solid Shell (SOLSH190) element and a Solid element (Solid185)
(Solid185).
A solid shell element is useful for thin structures with a single element through the
thickness (e.g. sheet metal).
MultiZone Method:
A patch independent mesher that automatically decomposes solid
geometry to accomplish sweep meshing (like a user might slice a model
f meshing).
for hi )
Mapped Mesh Type: controls the shapes
used for fill regions.
Free Mesh Type: if set, allows tet meshes
in the fill regions. Can set to not allowed
if all hex is desired.
Standard Free Mesh
MultiZone Mesh
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 13.0
2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. L4-16 November 2010
Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical
Sizing:
Element Size specifies average element
edge length or number of divisions
( h i
(choices d
dependd on geometry
t selection).
l ti )
Soft control may be overridden by other
mesh controls. Hard may not.
Mesh biasing is available.
available
Sphere of Influence:
Center is located using local coordinate system.
All scoped entities within the sphere are affected by size settings.
Sphere of Influence
Scoped to single vertex (shown in red) has been
defined Elements lying in
defined.
Scoped
p to 2 surfaces
that sphere for that scoped
entity will have a given
average element size.
For some geometry mapping will fail if an obvious pattern is not recognized.
By specifying side, corner or end vertices a mapped face can be achieved.
Vi
Virtual
t lT Topology
l bbranchh iis added
dd d tto th
the M
Model
d l
branch.
A Virtual Cell is a group of adjacent surfaces that
acts as a single surface.
Interior lines of original surfaces will no longer be
honored by meshing process.
For other operations such as applying Loads and
Supports, a virtual cell can be referenced as a single
entity.
Virtual cells can be generated automatically via RMB:
The Behavior controls the aggressiveness of the Merge
Face Edges?
Edges? setting for auto generation
generation.
Example . . .
Virtual
Cell
W k h 8.1
Workshop 81
Meshing
g Evaluation
Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical
1.
b.
a.
b.
c.
b.
a.
b.
a.
b.
The element quality plot shows that many elements are of a relatively low quality.
However to illustrate some of the practices and tools well
However, we ll solve the model as it is.
is
a
a.
At this point there are numerous mesh controls we could employ to improve the
mesh. Well focus on the potential problem area indicated in the results using
several meshing controls.
b.
a.
a
a.
b.
c.
16. Again reviewing the element quality metric from the mesh statistics
detail a definite improvement can be seen.
Its clear the refinement has reduced the rapid transition in energy values when
compared to the original mesh.
Notice that there are still areas of high energy transition in the
model. Our mesh refinement has addressed our stated goal but not
the entire model.